Hunter, Richard Jocelyn

Third son of Robert Lewin Hunter (C, 1865-1870) solicitor, of Lincoln’s Inn, and Mary Harriet Gertrude Devas Hunter of 39 South Street, Mayfair, London. He was one of four Wykehamist brothers, another of whom, Lieutenant Hugh Michael Hunter (C, 1905-1910), Wiltshire Regiment, fell in March 1915 (see individual entry). He entered Mr. Cook’s House from Horris Hill, became a Commoner Prefect and member of Sixth Book, captained O.T.H. VI in 1904 and was twelfth man for Lords in 1905. That same year he went up to Brasenose College, Oxford, and graduated with Second Class Honours in Jurisprudence in 1908. After a brief period at Harvard University he returned in 1914 to join his father’s law firm.

Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined the London Rifle Brigade, in which he had served a few years earlier, and went to France in April 1917; he was attached for a time to the staff of the 55th Division. He then transferred to the 1/21st London Rifle Brigade as a Captain. He died on August 25th 1918 from wounds received the day before while leading a successful attack on an enemy machine-gun position in the opening stages of the final advance.

On June 6th 1914 Hunter married Miss Violet Sophia Mary Baines, the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Cuthbert J. Baines, and sister of Cuthbert Savile Baines DSO and Bar (C1904-1908). He left two children when he died; his son, Michael Jocelyn Hunter, came to the school as a war exhibitioner (C1930-1935). After Hunter’s death, his widow re-married to become Mrs. Violet S.M. Neville, of Slowly Hall, Norwich.

In 1930 Hunter Tent was dedicated to his memory and that of his brother Hugh. The inscription (as recorded in The Wykehamist 730, June 1930), reads: “This Tent, built in 1930, was given to the School in memory of ROBERT CECIL HUNTER Lords 1896-7, died Nov. 1921 RICHARD JOCELYN HUNTER Lords 12th man 1905, killed in France Aug. 1918 HUGH MICHAEL HUNTER Lords 1910, died of wounds in France April 1915”